Town have confirmed that keeper Richard Wright will be out of action for four months with the knee injury he sustained at Cardiff on Sunday, as first revealed by TWTD earlier this afternoon. Wright collided with Bluebirds striker Michael Chopra during the first half and was replaced by Arran Lee-Barrett.

Physio Matt Byard told the club site: "Richard has a partial tear to his cruciate ligament.

"We will manage his recovery conservatively and at this stage we are very hopeful that he will not require surgery.

"You can never be exact in a recovery time but with this type of injury, we expect Richard to be out for around four months."

Wright’s injury, coupled with loanee Asmir Begovic’s return to Portsmouth last week, leaves the Blues short in the goalkeeping department. Aside from 25-year-old Lee-Barrett, 18-year-old Irish stopper Ian McLoughlin, who signed an 18-month professional deal a year ago, and 17-year-old loanee from Tottenham Mirko Ranieri are the only keepers in the squad.

Town are likely to ask the Football League for special dispensation to take another keeper on loan, although clubs have not always been successful with these requests in the past.

New keeper Brian Murphy formally joins the Blues from Bohemians on a Bosman when the transfer window opens in January. The Irishman looks likely to have the chance to establish himself as the club's number keeper during Wright's extended spell on the sidelines.

Wright rejoined the Blues from West Ham in the summer of 2008 with his contract up next June.

Photo: Action Images

mjw_1983 added 19:09 - Dec 1 go back to portsmouth for a keeper as they have james(injured), begovic, ashdown and niemi on the books. does anyone know if we paid a loan fee for begovic? do we get it back either full amount or partial
0

Colin_Viljoen added 19:12 - Dec 1 How about a swap Loach for Priskin!!
0

pabloc added 19:35 - Dec 1 gordon banks or peter shilton.
0

Havit_Blue added 19:47 - Dec 1 shame. Good call though on lewis
0

ITFC4EVER added 20:08 - Dec 1 njw_1983 ypu cant recall a player back if a fee has been payed.
0

sherborneblue added 20:18 - Dec 1 Devestated for him, as a goalkeeper myself have watched him train since the age of 5. True commitment and a proper servant to the club. People won't remember him in his decline this season, but rather as the guy that got is up and kept us up all those years ago. A real Shame, and I hate to say it but this is the end for him. Sad to see him go. Is there an address for cards that?

0

Dowson added 20:56 - Dec 1 lee barret did fine on sunday , Train him up over the next few days hell be supurb
0

jesus added 21:17 - Dec 1 This sucks. I doubt he's retiring though. And I haven't heard anything about Roy not offering him a new contract in June. Astounding.
0

jas0999 added 21:43 - Dec 1 Despite being absolutely dreadful this season, losing Wright is a real blow. ALB is not good enough at this level and Roy will need to pull off a top loan signing.
0

DalianAtkinson added 22:05 - Dec 1 Bit premature to right him off but a real pity he got injured having just got back in the team. We got to try and get someone in as there are too many games in December to go with Lee-Barrett and our youth team keepers. Sensible to bring forward Murphy's signing but that is exactly why the FA won't allow it. Great pic Jesus BTW!
0

bigfish added 23:51 - Dec 1 Firstly - Hope RW gets back to full fitness soon and has a speedy recovery Secondly - End of Wrights career - (NO) be foolish as an experienced international proven keeper will help the younger ones and the squad. Third Point - The FA bend rules - what ever next (lets hope so)
0

nerdys added 01:23 - Dec 2 Laurie sivell..David Best.!!!
0

nerdys added 01:27 - Dec 2 Laurie sivell..David Best.!!!
0

norwich_are_rubbish added 09:53 - Dec 2 COME ON get that piece of crap out of here is is a waste of space get lee-barrett in even if he does save the spazstics shots at the start of the match hes a ledgened Wright your rubbish
0

PvtHudson added 11:34 - Dec 2 Lee-Barret let his own contract go at Hartlepool by the way. He was not happy there so he bout his contract out. He is a good keeper and will do fine for us.
0

UEFA81 added 15:17 - Dec 2 Bring back Paul Cooper.
0

Blogs 297 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls